NCDC heightens vigilance after imported Ebola case confirmed in Kenya

Africa, Health

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) —The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has heightened vigilance following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola disease in Kenya, amid an ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The NCDC said it was closely monitoring developments in the DRC and assessing the potential implications for Nigeria after Kenya confirmed the imported case on October 6, 2026.

In a statement signed by its Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, the agency said the case was linked to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC and highlighted the risk of international transmission through travel and population movement.

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According to Kenya’s Ministry of Health, the confirmed case involved a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC.

The individual reportedly travelled by road from the DRC to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi, Kenya, where the person was isolated and subsequently tested positive for the Bundibugyo virus.

The patient later died, while Kenyan health authorities have commenced contact tracing and other public health response measures.

The NCDC stressed that, as of October 6, 2026, there is no confirmed case of Ebola disease in Nigeria.

The agency said Nigeria had been strengthening its preparedness for Ebola since the outbreak was first reported in the DRC, working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Port Health Services, state governments, development partners and other stakeholders.

The preparedness measures include strengthening early detection, isolation and referral of suspected cases, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, risk communication and protection of healthcare workers.

The NCDC also conducted a National Ebola Preparedness Tabletop Simulation exercise to test the country’s response arrangements and identify areas requiring further improvement.

Following the confirmation of the imported case in Kenya, the agency said it was reviewing the risk to Nigeria and its existing preparedness measures to ensure they remain appropriate to the changing regional situation.

It added that preparedness measures would be strengthened or adapted where necessary in collaboration with national and subnational authorities and partners.

Advice to Nigerians

The NCDC urged Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant and advised members of the public to:

• Practise regular hand hygiene with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Avoid direct contact with the blood or body fluids of anyone who is ill, particularly people showing symptoms suggestive of Ebola.
• Avoid contact with the body of anyone who has died from an unknown illness.
• Avoid handling sick or dead wild animals and consuming raw or improperly prepared bushmeat.
• Seek medical care promptly at a recognised health facility if unwell, particularly after recent travel to an affected country or area or contact with someone suspected or confirmed to have Ebola.
• Provide healthcare workers with accurate information about recent travel, particularly travel to countries reporting Ebola cases, as well as any possible exposure to a suspected or confirmed case.
• Rely on information from the NCDC, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other official public health authorities, while avoiding the spread of unverified information.

Advice to healthcare workers

Healthcare workers in public and private health facilities have also been advised to maintain a high index of suspicion when assessing patients with compatible symptoms and a history of travel to an affected country or area, or other relevant exposure, within the preceding 21 days.

The NCDC warned that the early symptoms of Ebola can resemble those of other common febrile illnesses and urged healthcare workers not to wait for bleeding before considering Ebola in patients with compatible symptoms and relevant epidemiological histories.

Healthcare workers are advised to:

• Apply standard precautions consistently to all patients.
• Immediately isolate any suspected Ebola case and apply appropriate transmission-based precautions alongside standard precautions.
• Use the required personal protective equipment when managing suspected cases.
• Notify relevant public health authorities through established surveillance channels.
• Maintain appropriate precautions until the patient is safely handed over to the designated public health team for further assessment, testing and management.

Advice to travellers

Travellers to and from affected areas have been advised to remain vigilant and familiarise themselves with the symptoms of Ebola disease.

The NCDC advised travellers to monitor their health for 21 days after leaving an affected area, particularly if they may have been exposed to a suspected or confirmed case.

Anyone who develops symptoms during the monitoring period should avoid unnecessary contact with others and immediately contact the appropriate public health authorities or seek care at a recognised health facility, while clearly disclosing their travel and possible exposure history.

The NCDC said it would continue to monitor developments in Kenya, the DRC and other affected countries and work with national, regional and international partners to assess the implications for Nigeria and strengthen the country’s preparedness where necessary.